Gravity table



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GRAVITY F'IAm" Filed Jan. 22. 1926 INVENTOR, .Mamma/ )g5/aaa 1,

ATTORNEY EEE.

" frenan J. ivrennocx, or NEWARK, new Jenaer.

GRAVITY TABLE.

application -aied January 22,1926. serial No. sansa This inventionrelates generally to tables used in dining rooms of ships orrsteamersVand the like, the invention having more particular referenceto a noveltype of table. The invention has foran object the provision of animproved table which has a As here embodied my improved self-levelingtable comprises briefly a top 10 to which is rigidly attached at itscenter a supple` mentary top 11 having a spherical portion 12y formed atits .lower extremity, the said spherical portion being a movable fit inthe supplementary base 13 by means of the spherical aperture 14 form-edin the said supplementary base and in the upper element 15 which issuitably attached to the said supplementary base 13, the upper element15 being detachable to permit of assembling the device. As a means ofinsuring free and easy motion of the top 10, I have prof` vided ballbearing as illustrated by the nu` meral 15 on the accompanying drawing.

The base 16 is suitably attached to the supplementary base 13, and isprovided with a flange 17 or any similar groove orprotru-V sion locatednear its upper extremity to accommodate the lower portion of the cupshaped member 18, and a radial portion 19 to accommodate the adjustableblock 20. The adjustable block 2O has a convex lower surface adapted tobe disposed adjacent the concave upper surface of the radial portion 19.The force of friction between these two surfaces may be predetermined byadjustment of the nut 23 for the purpose of retardingthe motion of thetop. A plurality of springs 27 are interposed 'between the lower surfaceof the top 10 and the upper surface of the cup shaped member 18. rlfhespherical portion 12 has a depending rod 21, centrally attached at itsupper extremity, to the spherical port-ion 12, and has a threadedportion 22 at or near its center to accommodate the adustable block 20,and the locking nut V1() may be readily altered 23. Its lower extremityhas a similar` 'I threaded portion 24 to accommodatev assecond 'lockingnut; 25, which is` provided as a i l means of holdingthe weight 26,whicli'fs a slid'able'fit on the rod 21, in any desired position at ornear the lower extremity of the said rod. f

It` will be understood that my improved device may be made of anysuitable mate-V f rials, the exterior parts being :made preferably ofwood, and of any desired or suitable design and shape, the working partsbeing made preferably of metal.v

lt is obvious that l have provided a. table having a top 10 which willalways assume a. level position, whether the base 16 is level or tiltedfor any' reason, such as, would occur should my improved self-levelingtable be installed on board ship. lt is further obvious that by means ofthe superimposed springs 27, th-e adjustable block 2O andthe weight 26,the two later mentioned elements beingadjustable as heretobeforementioned, that the action` or movement of the said top or changed tomeet all requirements. j

l/Vhile I have above described the preferred form, construction andarrangement of the several elementsemployed, it will be` understood that'the device, is nevertheless, susceptible of considerable modificationtherein, and I therefore reserve the privilege of resorting to allsuch'changes as may be fairly embodedwithin the spirit and'scope of theinvention as claimed.

Having thus described lmy invention,A what l claim as new, and desire toprotect byV 'Letters Patent of the United States is. asV

followszf 1. A self levelling table comprising a top horizontal member,a substantially spher` ical member mounted at the center of the bottomsurface of said top member, a. base for said table, a socket forA saidspherical member mounted on said base, a shelf disposedV around saidsocket positioned below said horizontaltop member, a plurality of spacedcompression springs interposedbetween said shelf and said top memberadapted to resiliently hold the latter in a substantially horizontalposition, a dependingV Vrod secured to said spherical membenra weightadj ustably mounted on the lower end of said rod and disposed withinsaid base,

a partition in said base having an upper concave surface andprovidedwith an open- Y ing to Vfaeoommodate said rodaandV a bleek 'nhavingv VailoWer convex surface adjustably mounted yonsad rod With itsConvex suraoe adjacent thev concave surface of said n partition forretarding the movement of said A upper horizontal member.

' I' A self levelling table comprising a. topv horizontal member, a basefor supporting member in a horizontal position, resilient member forsupporting Vsaid top vmember adapted to' resist displacement thereoffrom va horizontal plane When Weight is distributed unevenly upon saidtop member, and an adjustable friction block mounted on said rod adaptedto friotionally engage a portion of said base for retarding` movement ofsaid top member; Y

In testimony whereof I have aHiXed my signature. Y

FRANK J. MANROCK.

